A year as Dakota royalty

Thursday

Jun 13, 2013 at 12:01 AM

“Kyra was born in August, and she was out here (the Lower Sioux pow wow grounds) the next June dancing,” said mom, Markeela Toreen; Kyra, a member of the Lower Sioux Community, is proud of her Dakota culture and was able over the past year to represent that culture wherever she went.

By Troy KrauseEditor

Kyra Toreen was born to dance, and the seven-year-old loves doing it.“Kyra was born in August, and she was out here (the Lower Sioux pow wow grounds) the next June dancing,” said mom, Markeela Toreen.Toreen, a member of the Lower Sioux Community is proud of her Dakota culture and was able over the past year to represent that culture wherever she went.One year ago Toreen was crowned Junior Miss Lower Sioux, and she then spent the next 12 months visiting other pow wows and dancing in other venues as a way to help others understand what it means to be Dakota.“We went to 10 different pow wows,” said Toreen, adding she really liked being able to dance and to enjoy all of the food.

Toreen is known as a Fancy Shawl dancer, and the regalia she wears was actually made by her mom.“I was a jingle dancer when I was younger, and I wanted to do something else,” said Toreen.A Fancy Shawl dancer, explained Tor-een, is a butterfly dancer, as is evident in the way she dances.Toreen said she tried out for the royalty, because she wanted to represent the Lower Sioux Community.Those who try out for the royalty are judged on the way they dance, as well as on their regalia, and each must give a speech talking about why they want to represent the Lower Sioux as part of its royalty.The seven-year-old dancer is proud of who she is, and is learning more about the Dakota way of life, including being able to say a few words in Dakota.Toreen gives up her crown this Saturday when the new Lower Sioux Wacipi royalty is crowned. Toreen’s brother, Keagan, is the 2013 Junior Brave.The coronation is Saturday afternoon at the pow wow grounds.Toreen said the past year has been a lot of fun for her.“It went by really fast,” she said, and she wanted to thank those who helped make her experience such a positive one.Toreen added she is planning to try out to be Miss Lower Sioux in the future, adding she is going to be at the pow wow this throughout the weekend. She is looking forward to dancing. She wanted to invited everyone to come and see what a pow wow is all about and to enjoy the weekend at the Lower Sioux Wacipi.